Association of Oklahoma Narcotic Enforcers
It is with indescribable sadness we announce the passing of OBN Agent Choc Ericsson; our brother, our friend, a hero. Ericsson, 38, died just before 6:00 p.m. this evening from injuries sustained while trying to detain and investigate a hostile suspect on the evening of November 11th, 2005. Assigned to the OBN Woodward District Office, Ericsson performed a traffic stop on a suspicious vehicle and was attempting to subdue the combative driver when he was dragged and run over by the suspect’s vehicle. Ericsson sustained a severe head injury in the accident. The suspect, 29-year-old Leslie Don Vance, was shot one time by Ericsson as he tried to flee the scene. Witnesses say Vance, who has a lengthy criminal record ranging from concealing stolen property to meth manufacturing, was seen using meth just prior to the confrontation. Agent Choc Ericsson had been with OBN for almost 5 years. He leaves behind a wife, 3 young children, and countless family and friends whose lives were touched and blessed from knowing him.
A trust fund has been set up for Ericsson’s children at:
Here I am, I made it at last! I’m officially the “Immediate Has Been”! As I told A-One President, Keith Colasacco, “I like this chair!” However, to be completely serious I have enjoyed the last three and a half years and look very forward to the rest of this year and the challenges before the executive board. The Fifteenth Annual Training Conference was a success and I would like to extend my thanks and congratulations to the executive board, the “Red Shirts”, and other volunteers who donated their time and hard work to make the conference a success. Keith and Steve Tanio have some new ideas and a few new classes in mind to make the Sixteenth Annual Training Conference even more successful.
Times have changed for a lot of us in narc business over the past year. There have been several battles set before us, and by in large those battles have been won. After the last several years of responding to one meth lab call after another, some of us have had to adjust our way of operating and teach some new “narclings” what it’s really like to work informants and BUY dope. I know that some of you are still dealing with a fairly large number of clan labs, but I am also aware of a significant reduction in the number of meth labs seized across the state, which is a victory any way you look at it.
Now we face some new challenges and we must again remember why A-One was conceived. A-One is a venue to exchange information regarding subjects pertinent to narcotics investigations and the bad guys we all chase, and a means to receive the training necessary to keep us all safe and help us do our job. This is vital in the nasty world we work in and we should not forget or forsake the lines of communication we have worked so hard to establish over the last sixteen years through A-One. Our association is one of the best in the nation and certainly one of the best known. As I recently heard Mike Kennedy, the Immediate Past President of the California Narcotics Officers Association, say, “If you go to Oklahoma, you have to make it to the A-One Conference, it’s one of a kind!” You should all be proud of that reputation because it is reflective of the membership. A-One is your association and it is up to the membership to continue the traditions and uphold the reputation that has been established over the years. Elect those you trust to the positions of responsibility within the executive board. Better yet, become a regional officer or a state officer and include your own ideas with those that have gone before.
With those thoughts in mind, thanks to all of you for your trust and your support during my term as President of the Association of Oklahoma Narcotic Enforcers. It has been my honor to represent you across the state and the nation. I’ll do my best to finish out my term as Past President, or “Immediate Has Been” in a manner befitting that trust.
I wish you success in all that you do, and it is my hope and prayer that you will all remain safe until we see each other again.
Sincerely,
Wayne H. Stinnett
Past President
Association of Oklahoma Narcotic Enforcers.
HB2176, also known as the "Nik Green, David 'Rocky' Eales, Matthew Evans
Act", was the result of a two day interim study in the House of
Representative in September of 2003.
Representative John Nance of Bethany
and Representative Paul Roan of Tishimingo held the study at the request of
OBN so that law enforcement, prosecutors and mental health professionals
could come together to address the meth lab problem and serious solutions to
what had become an epidemic in Oklahoma.
The result was a bill draft
placing pseudoephedrine tablets as a Schhedule V controlled substance
requiring photo identification and signature prior to sale at a licensed
Oklahoma pharmacy. The measure also gave judges the option of denying bond
for those arrested for manufacturing or attempting to manufacture meth. The
law was renamed in honor of three Oklahoma Highway Patrol Troopers killed in
meth-related cases.
The Act passed both the House and Senate unanamously
and was signed into law by Governor Brad Henry April 6, 2004. After
seeing meth lab seizures increase 12,000% over the last 10 years, meth lab
seizures dropped by 70% after the first two months of the law being enacted.
The measure has been so successful over the past 8 months that as many as 28
other states are considering adopting a similar law this spring during their
legislative sessions. (Check out these pages for graphic illustration of the effects of this law.)
I sat on my bed tying my shoes and glanced up at the TV just in time to see the second of two passenger jets disintegrate into several of the top floors of the World Trade Center. "Oh my God!", burst from my lips in horror. I think everyone in the world uttered the same exclamation when they first observed that event. I ran into the living room and asked my wife if she saw that. She didn't have to answer, I saw it on her face.
I sat down and began staring at the television set. CNN, ABC, CBS, NBC and the rest brought images of a world gone wrong. An event that changed us all forever. Suddenly I found myself transported back in time. Standing on a street, gaping at a broken image of destruction. The stench of acrid smoke and diesel engine exhaust filling my nostrils. The sound of the generators running, whining out their dull hum as they powered the lights shining a midnight sun across the wreckage. I could feel the concrete at my feet and the light rain, or were they tears, on my face. I felt the same lifeless ache in the pit of my stomach. My heart heavy with the feeling of helplessness. Of wanting to do something, anything, to alleviate this horror. To help, to make things better, to assist anything, anyone. "I'm a police officer, damn it, I'm supposed to do something!" I want to do something. Anything to help. Somebody, please tell me.......
"What's wrong?" my wife asked. "Huh", I said. "Where were you?", she asked. I was lost in Oklahoma City. Sitting on the couch in my livingroom. Standing outside of the Alfred P. Murrah Building all over again.
All to many of us remember that day in history. Many of us remember being there and none of us will forget that day and the days to follow. One thing I remember most is the gracious generosity of the volunteers. People from all over the United States. Just trying to help the victims and each other. I remember the pride I felt that those people cared so much for us, the people of Oklahoma. I remember the pride I felt that so many Americans could come together for one purpose, one goal.
Now it's our turn to help others. It's been some time since the attack on America. You may already have done what you can. Donate blood or give money. I ask you to do more. Don't let those iniquitous acts of cowardly terrorist stop you from your daily life. Don't let them wedge fear into your hearts. Get on with your lives. Show your pride for this great country with colors or flags. Show your pride for those men and women, citizens and visitors from other nations who all lost their lives on September 11th, 2001. Show your pride for those police officers and firefighters who gave their lives that day. Show your pride that in America, no matter what color you are or what religion you believe in, you're still respected and loved. Show that we all get along because, above all, we are Americans.
In January, 1998 the Association of Oklahoma Narcotic Officers signed a lease on their new and permanent home. We have office and storage space at the Oklahoma Association Chiefs of Police's building located at 3701 S.E. 15th Street, Del City. The building is a renovated bank building and officers four classrooms with the largest having the capacity of 150 people. The building will be the home of the Chief's Training Foundation that officers several areas of training for all of law enforcement. We will have the use of a board room to have our executive board meetings. Among other organizations who also have office space are the Sheriffs and Peace Officers Association, Native American Law Enforcement Association, and Special Olympics. The opening and dedication was held on January 30. 1998. Prior to the grand opening, several members of A-ONE took the incentive to decorate our office space. Ed Hammers, Bud Burgett. Cindy Cunningham, Barbara Davis and Jorge Morales (all with Oklahoma City OBN) did an excellent job on the interior using an eagle motif. I would like to personally thank them for a job well done. They showed the true spirit of A-ONE by seeing a job that needed to be done and doing it. During and after the opening, I have received many compliments on their work. Some of the furnishings were loaned or borrowed for the opening and the executive board voted to buy new furnishings for the office. We held our first state meeting and training session, at the new facilities, on February 6th and everyone in attendance seemed impressed with it . If you have not had a chance to visit the facility, feel free to drop by and take a look at it.
Bud Burgett, Bob Osmond, Ed Hammers, and Charlie Whitis were all instrumental in obtaining this new office space. Here they are pictured inside of the new office, behind them some of the interior decroating and eagle motiff.
In late 1997, Detective David Schucker of the Lawton Police Department, Special Operations Section and Region IV President came up with the idea of creating an A-ONE web page. This page would provide information and training to our members, as well as be a positive and informational source for the public. The idea was presented to the executive board, voted on and approved. Detective Schucker drew a rough idea of the page and then, in January of 1998, Detective Craig Akard built and uploaded the first A-ONE web page to the internet. Since then the page has continued to grow and now encompasses eleven total pages. Many of these pages are contiuously updated. Detective Schucker maintains this web site for A-ONE. Keep an eye on this web site and please e-mail A-ONE if you have any questions, comments, suggestions or would like to add information.
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